Eco-Fashion

A recent trip to the Science Museum in London inspired this post. Round about the time my batteries were running low (I was in dire need of some caffeine!), I came across an exhibition about eco fashion, which really got me thinking about what I wear and how it has repercussions on both the environment and the working conditions of those who work within the fashion industry.

This exhibition opened my eyes to alternative materials, colourants and ways of producing clothing that are far more environmentally friendly.

On display:

This dress made from old recycled Metro newspapers.

The skirt layers of this dress are made from ‘bioplastics’ which come from plant sugar(s).

This black dress is composed of nettle fibres (yes, the stinging kind) as they 

are stronger than cotton and apparently just as soft. Nettles grow well in 

the UK (they don’t need much) so they are a good source to use.

This shimmery dress uses a fabric called Morphotex which imitates the

 reflective nature of Morpho butterfly wings. This fabric reflects light and 

creates this  lovely shimmery colour without the need for dyes 

– which is a lot better for the environment.

How eco friendly are you?

Lots of people play their part by recycling, washing their clothes at a lower temperature and so on - but it’s never enough. There is so much more we can do to help. Here are some ideas of what you can do:

• Don’t bin your clothes if they are still in wearable condition. Hand them down to others so the clothes get as much wear as possible.

• And for the very same reason, buy second hand / vintage pieces. I love owning something that I know has a bit of history to it.

• Don’t just throw out your clothes if they are ripped / holey. Transform them into something wearable. Old jeans can be cut into cute little denim shorts and given a new lease of life.

• Buy ethical or organic clothing where you can (if you can afford to do so). Some of you may know about Free People (Emma Watson has done some modelling for them and they feature on sites such as ASOS.com). Here are some of my favourite items:

Trimmed Edges Eyelet Top - £78.32 

Lace Cropped Kaftan - £139.51

Eyelet Scalloped Shorts - £53.85

New Romantics Cala Luna Tunic - £78.32

 Vintage Victorian Long Sleeve Shrug - £200.70

I love the floaty, relaxed nature of the fabrics. I can visualise wearing these on a hot sticky summer’s day, sitting on a beach somewhere, digging my toes into the sand. Accessorized with sunnies and a huge floppy hat, of course.

However caring for the environment needn’t be so expensive. 

There are cheaper alternatives where eco-fashion is a lot more accessible.

This has been demonstrated perfectly by Natalie Portman recently. 

For a pre-Oscar party she wore this incredible dress:

 Source here

Was this a designer’s dress? No. Believe it or not, this is actually a dress from H&M’s eco-fashion range called the Conscious Collection. Expensive? No. At least I find £29.99 for a dress is nothing compared to the £75+ that you may be expected to pay for an eco-friendly top elsewhere. I love their scallop shorts:

 They are recycled polyester and at £12.99, they are more than affordable.

 Eco-fashion can be costly but we have to bear in mind the following:

• Eco / organic materials can cost more

• These materials are meant to be better quality and have a longer life span

• They are usually not mass-produced like most high street clothing

• If they are made locally rather than overseas, the production process costs more

What do you think about eco-fashion? 

My top picks from London Fashion Week

Firstly many thanks for all your get well wishes. I am starting to feel human again which is nice. I realise London Fashion Week is over now and that this post may be seen as “old news” but whilst I was bedridden, I followed as much of it as possible online and I just had to share my favourite pieces with you. My favourites this time round include:

Jena Theo

I love the super hero mask look – it makes the collection so edgy and “in your face”. I also have serious hair envy – I love the relaxed, boho vibe that the hair stylists created on the models. There is something quite animalistic about this collection and I adore the drama and the dark colour palette used. I live in capes / shawls and Jena Theo’s cover ups just look so comfortable and practical for everyday life. And this is an achievement in itself, as not everything seen on the catwalk is practical for us mere mortals.  

Matthew Williamson

I am a girl who worships Aztec print and Matthew Williamson’s use of colour for his dresses is just incredible. His blue version would go with the turquoise jewellery du moment to perfection. And the coral Aztec dress is so inspiring that it would break even me - of all people - out of my dark colours style rut (I live for black clothing). And how cute is the jacket? I love the use of lines and I can imagine it flowing in the breeze with every step I take.

Sass & Bide

Sass & Bide have a real tribal feel to their collection featuring vibrant orange hues that are trending and oh-so-hot right now. I am seriously smitten with the patterns on show – I would love a poncho / bed jacket / cape like this. I am in love with the burnt orange / rust / not sure what to call it / colour that was prominently featured. It’s not a colour that I’ve worn before, but I’d love to own those shorts and that one shoulder knit dress.

Temperley London

My absolute favourite. But then I’ve always been a big fan of Temperley. I love this collection as it looks so wearable – I can actually see myself wearing most of it (if only I had the money!!). Bear witness to flowing, silky fabrics (gotta love that champagne coloured dress!) and the intricate attention to detail of the embellishment combined with sheer fabrics. My favourite piece? It’s a difficult choice… But I am crazy about the white belted dress.

So, what’s new in my life?

• My cape / poncho obsession has reached a whole new level. I bought not one but three this week from H&M. Awful.

• Tesco now officially hates me. I spent £2.04 on a magazine and some chocolate and paid them with a single pound coin and the rest of it in two pence pieces. My purse is happier and much lighter for it though.

Images from LFW A/W 11